Role of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Assessment of Abnormalities Underlying Rheumatoid Hand Function and Disability

Abstract

heumatoid arthritis is the most common chronic autoimmune inflammatory joint disease (prevalence of about 1%), and it commonly affects the peripheral joints. The wrist and hand joints are affected early in the disease process. The functional ability of the hand is likely to deteriorate with disease progression, and to impact on the individual's independence and social participation (Sharif et al., 2018). Multiple imaging modalities such as conventional radiography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are available to assess for structural joint pathologies in RA. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is gaining popularity among rheumatologists, especially in the context of RA joint assessment, as it is a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging modality that is relatively easy to set up in a clinic setting. The use of consensus-based scoring system along with standardized definition of joint inflammation in RA has been shown to improve its performance/reliability as an outcome measurement tool (Elangovan and Tan, 2020). The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound in assessment of rheumatoid hand function and underlying functional defects and disabilities in order to find out a possibly better tool for assessment.